Derek Lam says Ivanka Trump copied his designs. Lam sent Trump a cease-and-desist letter, claiming the socialite copied his Ayami wedge sandal (above, left) via her Cadie wedge sandal (above, right). Derek Lam CEO Jan-Hendrik Schlottmann told WWD that they “have never seen a shoe that perfectly copied,” but also that he’s sure “Trump doesn’t know her wedge is copy because it’s through a license." Ivanka Trump Footwear has licensed with Marc Fisher Footwear to design its shoes. Trump likely approves final products, but she has virtually nothing to do with the design process.

Update: Marc Fisher, the company that produces Ivanka Trump Footwear, is refuting Lam’s charges. Fisher’s legal team says the shoe design at issue is too popular to protect. Marc Fisher's rep told WWD: “The Lam wedge sandals are of a popular design type that has been used by numerous manufacturers for many decades. There is nothing iconic about the appearance of the Lam sandal. The Ivanka Trump sandals prominently display the Ivanka Trump name, and there can be no confusion as to the source of the Ivanka Trump sandals. Therefore, Marc Fisher Footwear, the licensee of the Ivanka Trump brand, strongly denies Lam’s claims.”